There are conflicting reports about the auction for German pharmaceutical company Ratiopharm, in which Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: TEVA; TASE: TEVA) is among the bidders. After Reuters reported yesterday that Pfizer had withdrawn from the auction, the "Wall Street Journal" reports today (Thursday) that Pfizer is still in the picture - along with 3 other companies, including Teva.

According to the report, Pfizer, Teva, Actavis of Iceland, and Swedish private equity firm EQT will submit final bids to acquire Ratiopharm, with the price tag estimated at 2.8 billion euros. The newspaper stresses that, contrary to previous reports, EQT and Actavis will submit separate bids and will not bid together.

A source close to the auction told the "Wall Street Journal" that the auction result would be published in the coming weeks.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 4, 2010

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